Universal socket device



Jan. 21, 1941. HG. FRIANG UNIVERSAL SOCKET DEVICE Filed Sept. 18, 1939Patented Jan. 21, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNIVERSAL SOCKETDEVICE Application September 18, 1939, Serial No. 295,494

2 Claims.

This invention relates to socket devices for making electricalconnections with plug members, and more particularly to an improveduniversal socket member which will accommodate 5 sets of prong membersof various diameters and spacings.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple andinexpensive resilient socket which is adapted to work satisfactorilywith vari- 10 ous types of plug members and will make good firmelectrical connection with a minimum amount of resistance added to thecircuit.

The device is particularly adapted for use in connection with smallbattery sets of the type 15 used with hearing aids and the like. In suchdevices the batteries must be replaced occasionally and the socketmember discarded with the battery. In using the batteries any relativemovement between the prong and socket contacts 20 Will cause a gratingsound in the ear of the wearer and of course is highly objectionable.

Hearing aid devices are manufactured by a number of different concernsand there is no standard for the diameter of the prong members or thespacing between the prongs. The present device affords transverse slotswhich will accommodate prong members of various spacings and theyielding jaws will accommodate prongs of various diameters.

3 1 The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment, in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a small battery having an improved socketmember in its top face;

35: Figure 2 is an elevational view of a conventional plug member havingprongs of different diameters; Figure 3 is a sectional view of auniversal socket device, taken as indicated at line 3 of Figure 1;Figure 4 is a sectional view, taken as 40f indicated at line 4 of Figure1; Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form ofcontact, taken as indicated at line 5 of Figure 6; and Figure 6 is afragmentary plan view of the contact member and supporting plate shownin 45 Figure 5.

In the embodiment illustrated A designates a battery case or similarelectrical apparatus which requires an electrical connecting socket; B,a supporting block of insulating material; and C, elec- 50 tricalcontacts supported in the insulating block B.

The battery A is of well known construction and is provided with afemale electrical connector in its top surface. In the preferred con- 55struction the insulating material B is of soft molded rubber and has anumber of tapered perforations 'l to receive the contacts C. Preferablythe perforations are larger on the lower side of the block and the upperside is flared outwardly, as indicated at 8, to receive the tips of 5the jaws of the contact members. As will be readily understood, two ormore contacts may be provided, and, if desired, an additionalperforation 9 may be provided to facilitate centering and holding theplug member on the battery. 10

In the preferred form, the contacts C comprise U-shaped clips which havetwo corrugated jaws I0 and l l which are connected at their lower endsby the web portion [2. The contacts fit snugly into the taperedperforations in the resilient block and the upper ends of the jaws areurged inwardly by the inherent springiness of the metal and also bypressure of the insulating material which forms a cushion. Thecorrugations provide arcuate contacting surfaces which establish abetter electrical contact with prongs l3 and [4 on a plug member. As thejaws are movable relative to each other, they are adapted to receive aprong of large diameter, such as l3, or one 14 of smaller diameter. Leadwires 15 and 16 may be soldered to the contacts C to establishelectrical connection with the cells of the battery. As will be noted inFigure 4, narrow trans verse slots I 1 are afforded between the jaws ofthe contacts and preferably these slots are in longitudinal alignment soas to accommodate sets of prongs of substantially different spacing.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 the block of insulatingmaterial It may be of hard material such as hard rubber, Bakelite, orthe like. A U-shaped contact I9 is riveted thereto by means of afastener 20.

In this form a prong member may also be inserted between the jaws butpreferably only one jaw 2| of the contact member is urged into contact.The other side of the prong may bear against a wall 22 of the insulatingblock. The surfaces may be corrugated, if desired, and as the slot is ofsubstantial width, prongs of various spacings may be accommodated.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, for some modifications will be obvious tothose skilled in theart.

I claim:

1. In electrical apparatus of the character set forth, a socket membercomprising: a, perforate block of soft, resilient, insulating material;and a plurality of metal contacts embedded in said transverse positionand be brought into firm electrical contact with said jaws.

2. A device as specified in claim 1, in which the slot between the jawsof one contact is in longitudinal alignment with the slot between thejaws of another contact.

HENRY G. FRIANG.

